thousands of people defied a ban and took to the streets to protest the regime of president bashir assad. the uprising cost the lives of 1600 people. >>> a powerful 6.4 earthquake rocked northern japan this morning. no reports of damage or significant injuries. it's the same area, though, that was devastated by a quake and tsunami last march that left 11,000 people dead or missing. >>> a ban on gays in the military will be lifted within 60 days. friday, president obama formally ended the ruling after top military leaders say the repeal would not jeopardize the military's ability to fight. during his campaign for the white house, president obama said he would overturn the ban. >>> it's about 23 minutes past the hour. let's go back to russ and rebecca. >> thank you. >> thanks a lot. >>> coming up, gay marriage becomes legal tomorrow in new york state. mike bloomberg is taking this personally. >> he will officiate at one of the same sex weddings, two of his top aides. you're watching "the early show" on cbs. ,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> let's talk more about the battle over the debt ceiling and who's t